I have world’s best players at Wolves
Everton ‘are a big club’
WOLVES manager Nuno Espirito Santo believes all of his players are good enough to play for the Premier League’s top clubs.
Nuno’s men play Everton this evening and he has been hammering home the message they need fear no one.
“In my opinion all my players could play in the top six sides,” he said. “For me, my players are the best players in the world. I’ll say it again – the best players in world. It sounds absurd to you, maybe, but the way I look at them, I admire them.
“I don’t make comparisons with anyone – for me, they are the best. I hope they feel the same way.”
Nuno believes his men will not be crushed by the weight of expectation on them before a ball has even been kicked. He has spent big on a side which led the Championship for most of last season before winning it at a canter.
“It is also about team spirit and conviction,” he said. “In my eyes each of my players is the best one. I try hard every hour, every day to make that.
“This is not a dream – it’s reality. We’re here and we live here. It’s going to be tough, but we’re ready for it.
“The big challenge was last season building a team. There’s still a long way to go but personally I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I have
WOLVES BUYS
MARCO SILVA says his three signings from Barcelona believe Everton are a big club.
The Toffees landed Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne as well as securing a loan deal for Andre Gomes from the Catalans.
Everton also brought in Watford’s Richarlison while highly-fancied Brazilian Bernard snubbed Chelsea and West Ham to join too. A frantic deadline day ended with Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma wanted this a long time. For many years I have dreamed about working in the Premier League and we are here, Wolves are in the Premier League. We made it in year one and now this is year two. “Dreaming is wishing. Working is making things happen. I don’t call it excitement, I call it motivation and determination and willingness to work.” Nuno knows there is no shortage of people who are tipping Wolves for a top-half finish after splashing £63million this summer. “We can’t control expectations,” he said. “It doesn’t affect us. We’re confident, we’re happy and we’re ready. Everton will be tough. Marco Silva is a friend of mine. We’ll have a glass of wine afterwards, for sure.”
Nuno is also determined not to fall foul of the new guidelines for touchline behaviour after a number of bust-ups last season stemming from his excitable approach.
He said: “I will try to be myself. After a couple warnings you are out, so I’ll be careful.
“Last season some people made bad representation of some moments but I’m a very respectful person.
“I will be respectful to referees, other managers and other teams.” free arriving on a season-long loan at a club that toiled for most of last season.
“We signed players because they thought we are a big club as well,” said manager Silva.
“All those we signed showed me they really want to come. That’s important for me and the club.”
None of the deadline-day signings will feature at Wolves today, however.
EVERTON BUYS
£40m £18m £28.5m £2m TBC free